The Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau (GSBTB), in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and with the support of the local governments of Olongapo, Bataan, and Zambales, Department of Tourism, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and Department of Trade and Industry, is launching Subik! Subik! Bakasyon Grande ’08, a grand festival of fun and frolic, cultural presentations and a tourism and trade fair set to elevate the region’s attraction as a prime destination for domestic and overseas travelers.
Slated on Nov. 28-30, the vacation extravaganza is seen to reposition Subik as an ideal tourist destination for locals and foreigners.
Other offers lined up for the event include shopping for the lowest priced imported chocolates, wines and cigarettes from the International Freeport Traders Inc., Royal Duty Free and Duty Free Superstore, and special hotel overnight accommodation rates that include day-tour packages to various attractions at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and in Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan.
All major activities will be held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, Subik’s newest state-of-the-art convention and exhibition center dubbed as the biggest outside Metro Manila.
The festivities under its colossal roof include fiesta-inspired musical shows by various artists on the first night; a star-studded Tropical Extravaganza featuring popular personalities on the second night; and an all-night yugyugan affair featuring international ballroom champions Edna Ledesma and the Nonoy Lopez Band on the third night.
All activities are reasonably priced.
The tourism and trade fair will showcase Central Luzon’s products and Subik’s tourist attraction and facilities.
Also part of the main attraction is the mosaic of ecotourism and community immersion activities with the Aetas.
“Definitely, the Bakasyon Grande is a notch higher compared to last year’s signature event,” said GSBTB chairman George Lorenzana.
Free time activities will include a range of complimentary service features, namely guided tours to the Royal Casino with VIP treats, golf packages to the Subic Golf Club, sunset cruises by the bay, Ocean Adventure, Zoobic Safari, and Jungle Joe’s World theme parks (entrance fees not yet included), special health spa packages, and free rolling tours to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
“It’s a good venture. Greater Subik has what it takes to become a desired tourist and convention destination. By effectively organizing another successful vacation festival, we attract more people, especially our Filipino expats, which would really boost the recognition of our rich Filipino heritage and tourism potential in the world,” said Armand Arreza, administrator and chief executive officer of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
The GSBTB is a duly registered non-stock, non-profit private organization of proactive hotel and resort industry leaders aiming to promote “Subik” — namely SBMA, Olongapo City, Bataan, and Zambales — as a “sustainable, ecologically sound tourism and vacation haven in the Asia-Pacific region.”
GSBTB members include stakeholders from various tourism councils, Pagcor, all major hotels, restaurants and tourist facilities in the area, members of the Bagac-Morong Resort Association, Bataan Hotel and Restaurant Operators Association, Olongapo Tourism Council, Manila North Tollways Corp., Zambales Tourism Council and North Philippines Visitors’ Bureau.
For inquiries or reservations, call 047-252-5212 or Seahorse Tours and Souvenirs at 0920-6028931 or 047-2525671.